First Place ($50 prize): "The Real Mermaids"

by Lindsay Flock of Conyngham, Pennsylvania 

 

Second Place ($25 prize): "A Two-Minute Tale"

by Elizabeth Spragins of Fredericksburg, Virginia

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Third Place ($15 prize): "A Curious Soul"

by Helen Liptak of Hartsville, South Carolina

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Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order by author):

"Mermaid Gumbo, The House Speciality, Served Steaming Hot"

by John Frochio of New Brighton, PA

"Unassigned"

by Sharon A. Pruchnik of Windber, PA

"Love Is Love"

by April Serock of Smithfield, PA

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All six of the winning authors will receive a complimentary one-year membership in Ligonier Valley Writers, a professional edit of their stories, publication at the LVW website, and a chance to perform their winning story aloud on November 6. The first, second, and third place winners will also receive cash prizes. 

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And our thanks to our celebrity judge, Damian Dressick, as well as our first-round judges, Marge Burke, Linda Ciletti, and Ron Shafer.

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Damian Dressick is a much-published author of flash and other fiction who has also taught flash fiction writing at the University of Pittsburgh and other universities. His flash fiction collection is called Fables of the Deconstruction (CLASH Books).